[Economy] Finance Commission

Q.1. What is the Finance Commission?

Ans. The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under
article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on
distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and
amongst the States themselves. Two distinctive features of the
Commission’s work involve redressing the vertical imbalances between the
taxation powers and expenditure responsibilities of the centre and the
States respectively and equalization of all public services across the
States.

Q.2 What are the functions of the Finance Commission?

Ans. It is the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to the President as to— the distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds
of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them and the
allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;

the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India;

the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to
supplement the resources of the Panchayats in the State on the basis of
the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;the
measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to
supplement the resources of the Municipalities in the State on the basis
of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;any other matter referred to the Commission by the President in the interests of sound finance.The Commission determines its procedure and have such powers in the
performance of their functions as Parliament may by law confer on them.

Q.3. Who appoints the Finance Commission and what are the qualifications for Members?Ans. The Finance Commission is appointed by the President under
Article 280 of the Constitution. As per the provisions contained in
the Finance Commission [Miscellaneous Provisions] Act, 1951 and The
Finance Commission (Salaries & Allowances) Rules, 1951, the Chairman
of the Commission is selected from among persons who have had
experience in public affairs, and the four other members are selected
from among persons who--

(a) are, or have been, or are qualified to be appointed as Judges of a High Court; or(b) have special knowledge of the finances and accounts of Government; or(c) have had wide experience in financial matters and in administration; or(d) have special knowledge of economicsQ.4. How are the recommendations of Finance Commission implemented?Ans. The recommendations of the Finance Commission are implemented as under:-Those to be implemented by an order of the President: The recommendations relating to distribution of Union Taxes and Duties and Grants-in-aid fall in this category.Those to be implemented by executive orders: The recommendations in respect of sharing of Profit Petroleum, Debt
Relief, Mode of Central Assistance, etc. are implemented by executive
orders.Q.5. When was the first Commission appointed and how many Commissions have been appointed so far?Ans. The First Finance Commission was constituted vide Presidential
Order dated 22.11.1951 under the chairmanship of Shri K.C. Neogy on 6th
April, 1952. Fourteen Finance Commissions have been appointed so far
at intervals of every five years.Q.6. Is the Finance Commission unique to India?Ans. Most federal systems resolve the vertical and horizontal
imbalances through mechanisms similar to the Finance Commission. For
example Australia and Canada. Q.7. What is the composition of the Fourteenth Finance Commission?Ans. The Fourteenth Finance Commission has been set up under the
Chairmanship of Dr. Y.V.Reddy [Former Governor Reserve Bank of India].
Other Members of the Commission are Ms. Sushma Nath [ Former Union
Finance Secretary ], Dr. M.Govinda Rao [ Director, National Institute
for Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi ), Dr. Sudipto Mundle, Former
Acting Chairman, National Statistical Commission. Prof Abhijit Sen
(Member, Planning Commission) is the part-time Member of the Fourteenth
Finance Commission. Shri Shri Ajay Narayan Jha is the Secretary,
Fourteenth Finance Commission.Q.8. What is the tenure of the Fourteenth Finance Commission?Ans. The Finance Commission is required to give its report by 31st
October, 2014. Its recommendations will cover the five year period
commencing from 1st April, 2015.